Tifton paraprofessional transferred for biting child

Tifton -- A paraprofessional accused of biting a kindergarten student started a new administrative job Monday.

44-year-old Vivian Hightower worked at Len Lastinger Primary School. She bit a student on January 10th as part of a punishment because of an altercation with another child.

The incident wasn't reported to the Tift County School board until two weeks later. Hightower was suspended without pay for five days.

"This particular individual didn't have any particular disciplinary problems. She was always on time for work. She worked well with her classroom teacher. Her teacher spoke very highly of her. So basically its an individual who made a wrong decision," said Tift County Board of Education Director of Human Resources, Kevin Dobard.

Several parents were upset that Hightower was still able to be around children after her suspension and filed complaints.

She has since been transferred to an administrative position where she will not have contact with any children.